Daijiworld Media Network - Beijing

Beijing, Aug 23: After years of weight-loss injections and pills dominating the headlines, Chinese researchers may have found a gentler, food-based solution to shed excess weight without needles or surgery.

A team from Sichuan University has developed tiny edible microbeads made from green tea polyphenols, vitamin E, and seaweed. When consumed, the plant-based beads bind with fats in the gut and prevent their absorption, offering a natural, noninvasive way to manage weight.

“Losing weight can help prevent long-term health issues like diabetes and heart disease. Our microbeads work directly in the gut to block fat absorption in a gentle way,” said Yue Wu, a graduate student at Sichuan University, presenting the findings at the American Chemical Society.

The beads, coated with a natural seaweed-derived polymer, are designed to withstand stomach acid and release their active compounds only in the intestine. Nearly tasteless, they can be added to everyday meals, making them a practical alternative to existing weight-loss treatments.

In animal studies, rats fed a high-fat diet supplemented with microbeads lost about 17 percent of their body weight in just 30 days, while those on regular high-fat diets showed no significant change.

“These ingredients are food-grade and FDA-approved, and their production can be easily scaled up,” said Yunxiang He, associate professor at Sichuan University.

Encouraged by the results, the researchers have already begun human clinical trials in collaboration with West China Hospital. Twenty-six participants have been enrolled, with initial findings expected within a year.

With obesity on the rise worldwide and concerns over the side effects of weight-loss drugs, these edible microbeads could soon emerge as a safe and sustainable alternative. Though still in early stages, the innovation holds promise to transform the future of natural weight management.